95 JGC - Turning problems after long drive

[mharknes]

We own 95 GC and have ("knock-on-wood") not had to put a ton of monies into repairs. However recently, after driving the vehicle any distance at highway speed, when coming into a parking spot or sharp turn, the wheels all seem to lock and start sputtering as if to stall.

We have had the diff fluiid, rear and front, changed recently and the transmission fluid changed regularly. Could this be the 4x4 system acting up and if so, what could be a potential remedy.

[The_Penguin]

Ahh the dreaded Viscous Coupler problem.
If you do a search here, on Viscous Coupler, you'll find you are not alone.
Assuming you have the "all time" transfer case (249 I think)..

Hes correct its the VC, I hate it, and yes its the NV249, you have some options, as I have read alot on line about the VC, you can replace the VC, it can be replaced while the T case is still in the jeep (so they say) and still have to worrie about it again in about 50, or you can replace it with a different case like a NV231 or NV242 the options are like this, you can still have the full time 4x4 option like the 249 has, but with out the VC, and with the 242 you have 2wd & 4x4 part time & 4x4 Full, and 4 low.

The choice is kinda hard the 249 is a some-what good T case with a factory Torque rate of 1,800lb ft, however it has a glass jaw. I like the ability on haveing my 4x4 help me when I don't know I need it, like last month when I was exploring a building site at dusk and before i knew it I was going into a track ho water hole rut, that I was to late in avoiding, I was able to power into it and the Jeep stayed true and climbed right out of it, had I had to slow and even stop to put it into 4wd I may have gotten stuck, I was allreay twisting my jeep and i'm sure I would have had some bind and a hard time getting into 4wd, it saved me, i'm sure,

And yet another time it saved me was driving when it was raining hard, A storm hit Richmond VA about 2 weeks ago and we had big hail and wind and the rain came in buckets, I was driveing kinda close to the right side of the road, dew to a dork on a phone, when I had a window I passed her and was faced with a large puddle on the right side of the road, I hit it and the jeep went right into the water and right out, with a non 4x4 it would have sucked me to the deep side and in to the curb, (unless your in a 5 ton) but the jeep stayed true. This Qudra track is great and I don't know if i'm willing to get rid of it for a few extra mpg.

I have also heard of Level 10 (trasnmission people) makes a gear driven clutch (no clutches to burn out) replacement for the VC in NV249s. I also know that the 2002 NV207 is a qudra drive and does the same as the qudra track, but the 207 has clutches in place of the VC.

The change over is detailed on this link http://jeephorizons.com/tech/tcase.html

[The_Penguin]

I should add that I've had the same problem for a while, and have been procrastinating. However it seems to be getting worse, so I'm probably going to order a VC from a company in Las Vegas, ($430ish vs. $1300 from the dealer ) and I'll take a crack at replacing it myself.
If I do, I'll take photos and post the process on the web.

The link to the procedure that has been posted here before seems to be permanently down, so unless someone has a copy, I'll have to wing it.

[dksob81]

for anyone replacing the VC, if you would like the pics w/ instructions I have them. the pics will help alot for someone who has never opened up the transfer case before.

email me if you would like them
Joe [email protected]

[IdahoJeeper]

Okay, okay...I just bought a 96 GC Ltd, didn't notice this problem when I bought it, it had been garaged for a long time, was very clean, has 90K on it and runs great. Now I am noticing it and it acts just like I've read others describe in that after driving a while it gets worse. It darn near locked up in a parking lot on me the other day, it was like the parking break was on as I was backing out of a spot while turning.

I thought I read somewhere in the forum that a fluid change could possibly solve this? We're all talking about changing out VC's or Transfer cases, is there a simpler fix? Or is this Jeeps version of cracked exhaust manifolds for the Grand?

[The_Penguin]

My understanding is that a fluid change *can* help in that it helps the VC run cooler, but generally if the fluid inside the (sealed) VC is starting to break down, it's just a matter of time.
As common as this problem seems from reading forums online, in my area (Canadian city of almost 1 million people), other than the dealership, no parts places, tranny shops, or independant shops seem to have ever heard about them....

[mharknes]

Thks for all the information. I think as a short term solution we will change the TC fluid to a synthetic and hope for the best. Since the vehicle is really a life saver on the worst of winters road here in Canada, longer term we will probably change the TC to the recommended NV242. Any ideas on costs broke down by parts/est. labour (hrs)?

[The_Penguin]

Originally Posted by mharknes

Thks for all the information. I think as a short term solution we will change the TC fluid to a synthetic and hope for the best. Since the vehicle is really a life saver on the worst of winters road here in Canada, longer term we will probably change the TC to the recommended NV242. Any ideas on costs broke down by parts/est. labour (hrs)?

I'm in Canada too (Alberta) I was quoted $1300.00 for the part, and I think 2 hours for labour. I'll probably be ordering the part today or tomorrow from a shop in Las Vegas. Even after shipping, GST etc. I don't expect it to be much over $500.00 CAN.

[mharknes]

Would you be kind enough to forward the name of the supplier in US which I could order from...

[The_Penguin]

Originally Posted by mharknes

Would you be kind enough to forward the name of the supplier in US which I could order from...

www.drivetrain.com

click on transfer cases, then np249 you should find :

CRO4723918 1 Viscous Coupler 1992-96
$427.87

[IdahoJeeper]

Found a guy on eBay selling 'new' Viscous Couplers for around $400. Says they have the 'upgraded' fluid in them. Just did a search on Viscous Couplers and came up with about 4 results...

BTW - thanks to dksob81 for sending the pics on the change-out procedure, very detailed - Thanks!!

It's your Jeep, however your just tradeing time, it's going to fail again, your buying time, for all the problems yor haveing and the money spent, you can have a non VC joint T case for a little more money, and you wont have to worrie in another 60,000.

Again it's your Jeep, but as soon as mine gos another T case is going in, I even have a slecta trac shift snap in slector here ready.

I like the 249s ability to save your bum when your not ready, and it may even save you on a wet road, but some T cases have this option anyhow.


Good luck.

IdahoJeeper
I think it sux they killed Enterprise, I hope Mr. Burmen has something new in the mix.
Have:
S1:Enterprise, all TSO TNG DS9 and all the movies, and no I don't dress up.

[IdahoJeeper]

Originally Posted by ramairgto72

IdahoJeeper
I think it sux they killed Enterprise, I hope Mr. Burmen has something new in the mix.
Have:
S1:Enterprise, all TSO TNG DS9 and all the movies, and no I don't dress up.

Kaplah!